Flexible chain



May l 1928. 1,668,359

, A. A. DQTY FLEXIBLE CHAIN Filed July 2s, 1927 zw/M70@ lamented May l, i928.

narran stares lA'TEtVl" QFFICE.

ARTHUR A. DUTY, OIE' ATTLEBORO, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSXGNE TO PARKS BROS. I ROGERS, INC., OF PROVIDENCE, RHODE iSLAND, .Ei C'RPORATION Ol? RHODE I# LANZO.

.application lecl July 28,

My invention relates to flexible chain fabries, particularly adapted for use in articles of jewelry, such as bracelet-s, necklaces, pendants and the like.

An object of my invention is to provide a flexible chain fabric of simple construe tion, the parts of whichy may be readily stamped out of sheet metal which forms when assembled an extremely attractive ilexible and strong type of fabric.

A further object of my invention is to provide, if desired, a fabric of this general type flexible, but when once arranged in den siredposition will tend to retain that set position during use.

A further object of my inventionV is to provide a fabric of this description which may be readily constructed as to actually simulate a snake. The fabric of its own inherent construction resembles-,a snake to a certain degree. but to malte it more resemble a snake, l may so ornament the outer visible surfaces thereof as to more closely simulate the markings on a snake and may escallop the upper edges of each individual cup to make them more closely actually resemble snake scales.

A further object of my invention is to provide a chain fabric construction of strong construction which may be easily and cheaply fabricated.

These and such other objectsv of my invention as may hereinafter appear will be best understood from a description of the various embodiments thereof, such asV are shown in the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings Fig. l is a side elevation of a portion of a. chain fabric constructed in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the embodi ment shown in Fig. l bent in use to show its flexibility.

Fig. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view of a. chain constructed in accordance with my invention. f

Fig.,` 4 is a disassembled perspective view of two stringed cups of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fi to 3, wherein the cup edges are circular.

Fig. Siska longitudinal sectional view of a portion of a modified form of a chain fabric wherein the string member comprises a small metallic chain.

Fig. 6 is a disassembled perspective view similar to Fig. i of a modified form of my 122'?. Serial No. 205.992.

invention wherein each individual rcup is made elliptical in shape.

Fig. 7 is a side elevation similar to Fig. l of the embodiment of my invention shown in Fig. 6, in which the nested cups are elliptical, having alternate cups of different colors to more closely imitate a snake with csealloped edges.

In `the drawings, wherein like characters of reference generally indicatey likel parts throughout, 10 generally indicates a chain fabric constructed in accordance with the teachings of my invention. rlie fabric comprises a plurality of nested preferably metal cups l2 having lower ends la of smaller area than their upper ends 16, fitting into the cupped depressions 18 of adjacent cups andliaving the holes 2O through the lower ends le thereof. The cups are slightly flared so as to have straight sidewalls and a some what conical shape; as the result of this construction, the cups telescope readily, with the inside conical surface of one cup taking over the outside conical surface of the next cup, the coacting surfaces being in substantial parallelism. Therefore, one cup fits well into the nexteup, and bears against it over an area which is annular in shape and of substantial width, thereby giving a strong, solid bracelet, heavy and firm to the touch and very durable in use.

While I preferably stamp the cup members 12 out of sheet metal, they may, if desired, be made in any desired fashion from metal or other suitable material. VTo arrange the cups 12 in the form of a continuous flexible chain, I string them on the string member 22 which extends through the holes 20 and is preferably secured under compres sion to the' chain end cups l2 by the knots 24 or other means 2ltthereon to retain said cups @together in flexible nested relationship. Although I have shown the string member 22 as a preferable embodiment of means to retain said cup members 12 together under compression in flexible nested preferably contacting relationship, other means for this purpose may be employed, if desired. The string member 22 is also preferably metallic and is flexible, so that the fabric may readily bend in use as shown in Fig. 2. A. form of string member which I have found desirable to employ is the simple chain 22 shown in Fig. 5, in which case the means 24 to retain the cups togetherfunder asL lud

compression may comprise an extra link 24.

In Figs. 3 and Ll, I have shown a string member 22 of strong wire normally quite rigid in use, so that when the chain fabric 10 is bent, as for instance in use on a wrist bracelet the chain l() will assume a more or less permanent rigid set position.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. l to 5, the individual cups 12 are shown circular. If desired, however, these may be made of any desired shape such as the oblong cups 12, shown iirFigs. 6 and 7. As the chain bends in use, it is apparent that the inside of the cups will freely flex over the contacting outer surface of the inner ends of adjacent cups, so that the chain may readily flex to assume any desired position. If the cups l2 are made square, however, they will not flex quite so readily as the round and preferred embodiment shown in Fig. a, but if the sides of each cup are flared in the right degree and strung with the desired tension of the string member 22 to cause the desired compression on the cups, they may be so constructed as to function in use. Naturally, however, the rounder the outer surface of the lower ends 14E of said cups, the more easily will. the inner periphery of the cupped depressions of adjacent cups be able to slide thereover to permit the chain to flex in use.

As stated, my invention from its own inherent construction simulates a snake in a certain degree. If desired, however, to more closely simulate a snake, the upper edges 26 of the upper ends 16 thereof may be escalloped as at 2G, so that when assembled into the fabric l0 they may simulate snake scales. Also, if desired, the visible portions 13 of said cups may be additionally ornamented to simulate a snake by painting, enamelling.v mottling or otherwise, as for instance as shown in Fig. 7, by painting the alternate cups 12a and l2 of different colors to simulate snake stripes in use.

It is apparent that I have provided a flexible chain fabric adapted to a large variety of uses and particularly adapted for use as an ornan'iented fabric in articles of jewelry, simple in construction, easy and cheap to manufacture, of pleasing and novel ap pearance and which may be more further ornamented to simulate a snake, fish or other flexible objects.

It is understood that my invention is not limited to the specific embodin'ient shown and that various deviations may be made therefrom without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A flexible chain fabric consisting of a plurality of thin substantially conical cup members having rounded lower ends, and substantially straight side walls tapering towards said rounded lower ends, the coach ing surfaces of successive cups being in substantial parallelism, wherebythey engage each other over a substantial area, the cups being provided with holes in the lower ends thereof; and a retaining member flexible in all directions extending through said holes having the ends thereof secured to the end cups to retain said cups in flexible nested relationship and under compression, each cup having the hollow interior thereof deep enough to contain portions'of adjacent cups telescoped within, whereby on free flexion of saidfabric said side walls may obscure the lower ends of said cups and the fabric may be bent into a variety of different shapes and retain such shapes due to the compact nesting under compression of the cups.

2. A flexible snake simulating chain fabrie consisting of a plurality of thin flaring substantially conical cup members with straight side walls, the edges of the cups being escalloped to simulate snake scales, and having rounded lower ends, the coacting surfaces of successive cups being in substantial parallelism, whereby they engage each other over a substantial area, the cups having holes in the lower ends thereof; and a retaining member flexible in all directions extending through said holes having the ends thereof secured to the chain end cups to retain said cups in flexible nested relationship and under compression, each cup having the'hollow interior thereof deep enough to contain portions of adjacent cups telescoped within, whereby on free flexion of said fabric said side walls may obscure the lower ends of said cups and the fabric may be bent into a variety of different shapes and retain such shapes due to the compact nesting under compression of the cups.

3. A flexible .chain fabric consisting of a plurality of thin substantially conicalk cup members having rounded lower ends, and substantially straight side walls tapering towards said rounded lower ends, the coacting surfaces of successive cups being in substantial parallelism, whereby they engage each other over a substantial area, the cups being provided with holes in the lower ends thereof; and a freely flexible linked chain, readily bendable in every direction extending through said holes having the ends thereof secured to the end cups to retain said cups in flexible nested relationship and under compression, each cup having the hollow in-` terior thereof deep enough to contain portions of adjacent cups telescoped within, whereby on free Hexion of said fabric said side walls may obscure the lower ends of said cups and the fabric may be bent into a variety of different shapes and retain such shapes due to the compact nesting under compression of the cups.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

ARTHUR A. DOTY. 

